Albena Petrovic - Escapes. Music for Piano Duo (Romain Nosbaum; Florin Mantale)

Information

Composer: Albena Petrovic

1. Concerto for 2 Pianos
2. Sand of Oblivion, Op. 238
3. La fenetre invisible, Op. 184
4. Escapes, Op. 219: No. 1, —
5. Escapes, Op. 219: No. 2, —
6. Escapes, Op. 219: No. 3, —
7. Escapes, Op. 219: No. 4, —
8. 5 Exotic Dances, Op. 264: No. 1, —
9. 5 Exotic Dances, Op. 264: No. 3, —

Romain Nosbaum & Florin Mantale, pianos

Date: 2026

Label: Solo Musica

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Escapes, like all albums by composer Albena Petrovic, reflects a deeply personal artistic vision centered on the idea of emotional and poetic departure rather than physical escape. The works are unified by a “fil rouge” that invites listeners to leave reality behind and enter a dreamlike world shaped by imagination and introspection. Recurring themes of loneliness, fear of abandonment, and inner turmoil underscore the music, raising questions about whether the desire to escape is real or imagined. Drawing heavily on autobiographical experiences, particularly her departure from Bulgaria, Petrovic’s music intertwines memory, fiction, and identity into a deeply expressive narrative.

Albena Petrovic, born in Sofia in 1965, comes from a multi-generational family of musicians and pursued music despite early systemic challenges. Beginning piano at ten and composing by eleven, she quickly demonstrated exceptional talent, premiering her first public work at age fourteen. Trained at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, she developed her compositional voice under notable mentors while also working in music administration. Since 1996, she has lived in Luxembourg, refining her contemporary style and “cult of research” approach. With over six hundred works, she has received major honors, including the Order of Merit of Luxembourg, and remains an influential figure in contemporary composition.